Today, the Library of Congress named 25 films to its National Film Registry.  The films were named to the list because they were viewed as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant.  Among the list were Airplane!, The Empire Strikes Back, Malcolm X, and The Exorcist.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, the Librarian of Congress each year names 25 films to the National Film Registry that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. To be preserved for all time, these are not selected as the “best” American films of all time but rather as works of enduring significance to American culture.

“As the nation’s repository of American creativity, the Library of Congress — with the support of Congress — must ensure the preservation of America’s film patrimony,” Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said. “The National Film Registry is a reminder to the nation that the preservation of our cinematic creativity must be a priority because about half of the films produced before 1950 and as much as 90% of those made before 1920 have been lost to future generations.”

The full list of titles can be found below.  For more info on these movies, check out the story THR.com.

  • Airplane! (1980)
  • All the President’s Men (1976)
  • The Bargain (1914)
  • Cry of Jazz (1959)
  • Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (1967)
  • The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  • The Exorcist (1973)
  • The Front Page (1931)
  • Grey Gardens (1976)
  • I Am Joaquin (1969)
  • It’s a Gift (1934)
  • Let There Be Light (1946)
  • Lonesome (1928)
  • Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
  • Malcolm X (1992)
  • McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971)
  • Newark Athlete (1891)
  • Our Lady of the Sphere (1969)
  • The Pink Panther (1964)
  • Preservation of the Sign Language (1913)
  • Saturday Night Fever (1977)
  • Study of a River (1996)
  • Tarantella (1940).
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)
  • A Trip Down Market Street (1906)